To ask where you clothes shop?

[FrostyChocolateMilkshake]

I feel like I've hit a wall, fashion-wise.

I turned 30 at the beginning of January. A couple of paydays later, I'd like to treat myself to some new clothes.

I used to shop at River Island and Topshop. But now they seem too young, or cheap-looking (the styling has really gone downhill recently, unless I am massively out of touch!) But then some other shops seem a bit too frumpy and mature.

Been browsing online and cannot seem to find any clothing websites that fit my taste. I rarely clothe shop for myself, just pick things up as and when I'm out round town shopping (pre-lockdown era!).

AIBU to ask where you shop and if you could recommend any decent stores to me? I browsed the Joules website the other day and quite liked it, so something similar to that maybe.

I feel the same way OP. I stopped shopping in Topshop ages ago mostly because the poor quality and style of clothes. Walked in there one day and it was all hot pants and crop tops. I walked straight back out. All through my teens and 20s I dressed quite well I'd say, and had a sort of style identity, but since getting into my 30s I just dont know what to wear anymore.

Haven't really bought clothes since lockdown 1 apart from underwear, socks, leggings, and it's been quite liberating. But normally just go on Asos. I also tend to go to New Look for basics.

I've had no need to buy clothes for the past year but I'd usually shop at Zara, H&M, Arket, COS, & other stories, Oliver bonas, next, M&S, Sainsbury's, ASOS, John Lewis for their concessions, Levi's.

I find never ending trawling on clothes websites a total waste of time, but if you wanted a white cami or a pink long cardigan it's a lot easier to find one you want?

when I do that I tend to find it's a lot of high street brands (who can afford the google selling) or crap like Shein etc

I just find it much easier to find what I want then, the shops are crap at outfits you can actually put together. Currently into jeans, silk cami tops and lovely snuggly cardi's

I think everyone gets like this at some point, all of a sudden clothes they always wore seem too young but not quite ready for elastic waisted pants yet 😆

It’s obviously harder with lockdown but I agree searching online for inspiration will help.

Debenhams was always my go to shop, again difficult in the current climate. Cant do primark at all, I’ve put on a lot of weight as I’ve got older so just wouldn’t attempt their clothes, plus I feel the quality only lasts a few wears. Matalan can be good, but it’s hit and miss, you have to keep looking regularly. Next again, can get one or 2 bits but I do struggle with their styles. Most if my local independent shops are very frumpy or totally try hard at being “different”. The only things I’ve bought in H&M were kids and maternity clothes which I liked the quality of, but nothing else has ever appealed to me.

Yes, dryshampoo h&m has a horrible website. I think the reason asos does well is cos of theirs.

I’m 29 with 2 kids and feel lost about what to wear as well. Some shops are too ‘young’ I don’t want to wear crop tops and jeans ripped to pieces and skintight clothes. But then I find a lot of the suggestions like joules and Boden and M&S a bit ‘old’ :/

34 yr old mum of a toddler here! I love M&S jeans (my MIL got me some and I was a bit 🤨) but they are really comfy and don't scream M&S they are reasonably priced too. Most of my clothes are H&M, new look or ASOS these days!

I'm fine with styling but I think it's because I often don't actually need anything in particular so like to be inspired by browsing if that makes sense.

I do want some more chunky knitwear but need an option cheaper then this

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/anddaughter/net-sustain-alva-cable-knit-wool-turtleneck-sweater/1300229?cmmmc=Google-ProductSearch-UKKm-mNAPENNUKPLA---NAP+-+INTL+-+UK%C2%A0-%C2%A0GS%C2%A0-+By+Designer+-+Clothing%C2%A0-+Knitwear%C2%A0-%C2%A0MediumKnitwear+-+Heavy+KnitINTL&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImuu1rvc7gIVmK3tCh1WFQl-EAQYECABEgIWsvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm 43 and I tend to use Next, River Island, New look. Tesco's F&F range have some lovely things in right now.

I love M and S and always have .Some of their ranges are great for 30 somethings (Per Una/Autograph) and the quality is very good as well .

I've started using stitchfix as I was in a rut too. Really like them. Have a code if you want tot try

I’m 34 and feel the same, though I was never a fan of Topshop, I used to buy clothes at Dorothy Perkins, Next, Debenhams, and BHS (fab summer dresses). Though I only bought a few bits each year for office wear/summer dresses or maybe a wedding outfit, as my DM reliably still buys me an annual jumper and set of pyjamas. I like good quality clothes, but find M&S too frumpy.

I need a new style, otherwise I’ll spend all my 30s in leggings and jumpers, however I can’t afford to spend much, and now lockdown/WFH has basically removed the need to buy new clothes, and lots of the shops I used to go to have gone anyway, sadly.

Watching with interest.

I am mid 30s and I mostly shop in Zara, George at Asda (you have to trawl to find some absolute gems), New Look and occasionally Primark. I still do like the odd thing from River Island, but no one needs to see my midriff these days, so that prevents me from buying about 90% of their items 😂

I find I like to invest in timeless, expensive coats & jackets (All Saints) and boots (DMs) for example, and then I tend to buy cheaper clothes as I am rather guilty of liking to follow fashion trends.

Asos
River island
Tesco
Then buy loads second hand on Vinted , EBay , Depop etc.

I would say I’m still relatively fashionable at my age , I follow Instagram fashion pages and keep Pinterest pages for style ideas then try to buy the items I like through these ideas. So last year or two ago I really wanted the Zara pearl buckle boots but at £95.00 they were out of my price range , scoured online Depop etc to get brand new for £25.
Had seen lots of Pinterest images of ladies wearing them with black skinnies , black slouchy t shirt , black scarf draped round neck , then soft leather biker ... I just added the other items to my search list on my favourite retailers. Pinterest is probably my biggest help with seeing “ outfits “. I suppose it’s like the modern day online mannequin?

Asos, Zara, Arket, & Other Stories, Hush for the cheaper basics. For special stuff maybe Whistles, Anthropologie, Sezane, Me & Em.

The above I think are more suited to early 30’s than Seasalt/Joules/Boden which can sometimes -IMO -look a tad ageing on younger women and the cuts are a little more shapeless. Boden does some nice trousers (Richmond) and basic jumpers/flat shoes, though.

Vinted...

I’m short so find it very difficult, but mainly H&M for tops/jumpers/cardigans, ASOS for everything else and New Look for petite jeans!

If I’m shopping online, I tend to use ASOS. If I’m on the high street, Zara or even primark. I buy all my knitwear like winter jumpers from primark because I find no matter how good the quality they never last anyway.

Also- for really nice professional work clothes, The Fold or Libby London

Predominantly George at Asda and M & S but also use Tu at Sainsbury's and ebay.

I am over 60 and retired though. I live in jeans/leggins/jumpers/t - shirts. Was very different when I was working and what I wore - business attire - was pretty important. 😁

I'm 36. I get my jeans from Levi's and Sainsbury's. Tops and basics from Uniqlo or Sainsbury's again.

I've been using M&M Direct for loungewear (currently wearing Brave Soul plain grey joggers which look exactly like those £30 Topshop ones that keep selling out).

Most of the last year's purchases though have been small, mostly online businesses. Finisterre, Celtic and Co, Brakeburn and Joanie Clothing.

Used to love GAP but quality decreased (cotton T-shirt's went bobbly) so now prefer Uniqlo. Good quality and price.

Also like (mostly outlets/in the sale), Jack Wills (although quality also deteriorated there recently), Superdry, occasionally Jigsaw and Mint Velvet.

We go on holiday to the US every few years so we usually go to their outlets where Ralph Lauren, Levi's, A&F etc are far more reasonably priced and stock up.

Also, since I'm 5'9 and not very curvy, I also pick up stuff from the men's side in shops, if I like it. Uniqlo, Zara, and H&M menswear often have good neutral, but not masculine pieces that can be more interesting and much less frilly and fussy than their womenswear. My favourite jeans are from the men's side in Bershka.

Whitestuff, Joules, John Lewis, eBay. I'm 39